Help us fight the scam artists

The Publican is taking evidence from pubs that have been scammed directly to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Following the launch of Scamwatch Month, licensees have inundated The Publican with tales of approaches from companies trying to con them out of money.

We are now looking to gather as much evidence as we can before the end of the month, to send to the OFT and call for action against these rogues.

The most common complaint relates to pubs being offered advertising space in magazines for the emergency services. After an initial telephone conversation, licensees are sent an invoice for the advertisement, despite not having given their consent.

James Hilton, licensee at the Horseshoe in Matlock, Derbyshire, said he gets these types of call every two to three weeks. "We got caught out once, but we've now got wise to it," he said. "I always ask for something in writing, but it never comes." Alan Drake at the White Hart in Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire, said: "We have been harassed by these calls for over four years now.

"They claim to be calling from the local police and if you decline they lean on you, to give you the impression if you don't support it you may not receive the help of police should you require it." Other scams that target pubs include unsolicited deliveries of products such as till rolls, and bogus rate appeal companies.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, has backed The Publican's efforts. "It's important people seek advice before they sign anything and I would encourage people to contact The Publican if they have been targeted," he said.

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